Nahan, Trees in various parts of Sirmour district are being cut for construction of roads, without the approval of the authorities concerned. The state High Court had passed orders that no green tree would be axed without the permission of the Union government and Ministry of Forest Department, but no heed is being paid to these orders. Even pradhans of some panchayats are using JCB machines to fell trees for construction of roads in their areas and MLAs are providing funds for this purpose. The forest officers and the minister are not aware of the cutting of trees. In Poanta area, a four-kilometre road from Bhanog Bhaneri to Bakan is under construction and more than 50 green trees from reserve forest have been cut. Even after the directions of the district administration, the construction work is still under progress but only during night. Similarly, the Purli-Rajban link road is under construction through reserve forest area and more than 100 green trees have been cut so far. The case has been sent to the Union government for approval, which was to be taken before starting the construction work. As many as 52 persons have been arrested by the police for illegal cutting of trees and a case has been filed in the court. In Nahan tehsil, a three-kilometre link road from Jalal Bridge to Bhaneri was suspended without completion when the cutting of trees was reported, but a dozens green trees had already been felled by then. Illegal cutting of Khair trees from Kolar forest area is done by the forest mafia of Haryana. The Khair timber is very costly and Kolar forest has the highest Khair timber, but there is no boundary wall to protect the forest. The barbed wire has been washed away in some areas due to landslides. The cutting of trees in Kafota forests of Shillai tehsil has become a routine. About three days back, forest officials arrested two persons when they were cutting trees. Himachal Forest Minister, when contacted on telephone, said he was not aware of the facts. He asked for the records so that strict action could be taken against the culprits. However, local officials are trying to keep the matter under wraps.